The Norwegian saxophonist Marius Neset has been composing and playing in a league of his own for years. From a purely technical point of view, he can do things that almost all saxophonists in the world despair of. His pieces are sometimes bursting with complexity and speed without losing their power and catchiness, whether in a small ensemble or with an orchestra. While it often had something Nordic-dramatic about it, the focus on his ninth act album is on the joyful, ambitious and soulful.
“Happy” is the name of the two-part work that he is now presenting at the Prinzregententheater. And also introduces his new quintet with a bombastic line-up with Elliot Galvin on keyboards, Magnus Hjorth on piano, Conor Chaplin on bass and long-time companion Anton Eger on drums. So you can expect a concert to reflect, indulge and, last but not least, be amazed. One that probably makes you happy.
Marius Neset, Saturday, January 27th, 8 p.m., Prinzregententheater, Prinzregentenplatz 12, www.theaterakademie.de